There's a story in today's Times that Ofqual's Chief Exec ordered independent GCSE exam boards to cut the number of pupils who would achieve top grades to avoid another round of press stories about the dumbing down of exams.
Yes, the devaluation of grades is a problem but the answer isn't to penalise the students who have worked for their exam results. How is it fair to change the criteria once the exam is complete? The problem must surely be addressed at a curriculum level - by increasing what is required of students there will be a natural correction, with the added bonus of a better-educated population.
From a public relations point of view, this does Ofqual and the government no good at all. Instead of being able to celebrate increased achievement they now have to answer questions about how they've deprived students of the results they deserve. Which of those sounds better to you?
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